Nakobe Dean Injury Update is Huge News for Eagles vs. Cowboys

The Philadelphia Eagles are coming off a hard-fought loss to the Washington Commanders last week, snapping their 10-game winning streak. 

The Eagles will try to get back into the win column on Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys, but it won’t be easy as they will be without star quarterback Jalen Hurts. Hurts suffered a concussion in last week’s loss to the Commanders.

Philadelphia will also not have wide receiver Britain Covey (neck) and rookie running back Will Shipley (concussion), who were ruled out. Along with those players, the Eagles may not have standout linebacker Nakobe Dean, who was listed as doubtful on Friday’s final Week 17 injury report.

The 24-year-old linebacker has been limited this week in practice as he deals with an abdomen injury. If Dean cannot play on Sunday against Dallas, veteran Oren Burks will get the start, per Chris McPherson of PhiladelphiaEagles.com.

Zach Berman of PHLY adds Zack Baun will likely wear the green dot on defense for Sunday’s game.

Not having Dean for Sunday’s game could be a huge loss for the Eagles' defense as they try to help this team to clinch the NFC East title. Dean has played a massive role in the defense’s resurgence post-their Week 5 bye.

This season, the former Georgia standout has produced 128 total tackles, nine tackles for loss, six QB hits, four pass deflections, a forced fumble, and an interception. Dean has held his own in pass coverage, posting an 80.8 pass rating allowed when targeted and not allowing a single touchdown.

PFF has Dean’s coverage grade at 59.6, which ranks him 85th among 183 linebackers this year. However, the young linebacker has an outstanding 74.5 overall grade (28th) and an 80.4 run defense grade (22nd). 

The Eagles will miss him on run defense, especially on Sunday as they face Cowboys RB Rico Dowdle, who has 100-plus rushing yards in three out of his last four games. That said, if Burks and Baun can hold down the fort, the Eagles’ defense should bounce back at home.

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